Des Moines Area Religious Council

INVISION Architecture

Recognitions: 2024 AIA Iowa Impact Award

Project Description

The Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), a local non-profit working to meet basic human needs of the greater Des Moines community, had outgrown their space for the demand and donation volume they were receiving. After a year-and-a-half long search, a vacant big box store that had been converted from grocery to office, met the needs to accommodate growth for both their front-of-house office and back-of-house warehousing needs. Located on the main bus line, the on-site food pantry was designed to be a more accessible stop for Des Moines residents, with the next closest food pantry more than 3 miles away. New sidewalk paving and landscaping provides a more just and accessible route to the facility, being a catalyst for bringing the surrounding area up to local zoning regulations. Extensive mapping of their existing workflow informed the new layout for greater efficiencies for staff, volunteers, and consumers. More than tripling the size of their old facility, the warehouse provides the ability for vehicles to drive in and out along with dedicated areas for program awareness, volunteer groups and space for future growth and tenant partnership. The office space is highlighted by a double-height area with preexisting mezzanine and glass fronts to carry the natural light through the space boosting wellbeing. An edited low VOC palette was used to keep the number of materials to a minimum and costs low. The design and strength of DMARC’s operation was tested shortly after move in with the surge in food insecurity in the spring of 2022. Needs were met in full because durability, flexibility and cost-efficiency were top of mind in delivering this vital non-profit organization a new home with the capacity to continue to change the 34,000+ lives in the Des Moines metro for years to come.